Torsion Springs – The Basics

A torsion spring is a spring that stores energy through a twisting or rotational motion. Energy is put into a torsion spring when it is tightened and is released when it unwinds; as it is a spring’s natural tendency to return to its normal shape. Most importantly, a torsion spring allows for your door to be opened manually and for less work on your motor. The spring is just one component in a series of others that help create a smooth garage door system.

A torsion spring has a stationary cone which locks the spring to the spring anchor bracket. At one end of a torsion spring there is a winding cone. The winding cone is used when installing, adjusting, and uninstalling the springs. When installing the torsion spring, the coils of the spring are wound up to create a lot of torque.

How does a torsion spring work?

This torque is then applied to the metal tube that passes through the torsion spring.

The ends of the tube are held up by the end bearing plates.

Resting against the race of the bearings are the cable drums.

The cable shawls tightly around the cable drum, leading down to the bottom of the garage door, and onto the bottom bracket.

The torque from the spring transfers from the metal tube to the cable drum, pulling the cable and the bottom of the garage door upward.

Most of the weight of the door is counterbalanced by the tracks, the cables, and the spring combined.

Most torsion springs should be replaced every 10,000 cycles or on average every 8-10 years. There are spring options available that allow for longer life cycles.